Disclaimer: I don't own this story, or the characters (canon or OC). This is a story written by mattwilson83 from deviantart for his fan comic of the same name, I am simply writing it as a fanfic.
All characters belong to Kishimoto; most of the OC's are Matt's (except where otherwise stated, and I will say when there is a OC that is not Matt's and whom it belongs to)
Written with permission from Matt, but not from Kishimoto.
I don't get paid for this either.
Naruto: Naru-Hina Chronicles
Chapter One: Falling!
'You fell, I jumped, and then I fell for you again.'
A small squad of ninja dashed through the wooded area in the land of fire. They had been instructed by their Hokage of the importance of the mission.
-flashback-
Tsunade sat at her desk, this was a dire situation. "A few days ago, four rouge ninja Kidnapped the two children of a noble." She took a breath and continued on, "the noble came to us, as he could not afford the extra ordinate amount that was demanded."
She had looked at the six lined up before her. "Your mission is simple. Our information tells us that the four ninja are possibly ranked at Jonin or Chunin levels, be careful as only one of you is a Jonin."
Kurenai, as mission leader, nodded at this.
Tsunade continued, "this is primarily a search and rescue mission, so you are NOT to engage the enemy for longer then is necessary."
Her eyes had focused intently on the only Genin there, but Naruto remained silent. This was an important mission after all.
"Team Kurenai was chosen because the rouge team was last seen heading into the forest near the nobles home. It is so vast it would take some time to locate them using normal tracking methods, the individuals on this team are best suited for this, but I am adding additional support. Sakura and Naruto."
-end flashback-
The team came to a sudden halt, they had been racing through the trees. "Hey, why did we stop?" Naruto questioned the trackers.
Kurenai looked to the one who had initiated the halt, "Kiba?"
The Inuzuka sniffed at the air before answering, "it's faint, but the scent is defiantly close."
The red-eyed Jonin turned to her other student, "Hinata, check it out," she said sharply.
"H-hai," Hinata answered quietly and formed the necessary hand-sign before her, "Byakugan." The veins around her eyes became distended and after a moment, "I found them, camped near a cliff. They are a couple hundred meters in that direction," she finished, pointing due west.
"Good work Hinata," Kurenai remarked, then she addressed the rest, "ok, lets go."
The team of six took off through the trees once more.
OoOoO
It was a wide-open space near that cliff, and six figures occupied it. The four adults all wore the same mask that covered the lower part of their faces. Two children, a young girl and a younger boy, sat crying on the ground in each other's arms.
The woman of the group made her way over to one of her comrades, the apparent leader, her blond hair covering another quarter of her face and right eye. "How much longer are we going to be waiting around?" she asked impatiently.
The brown haired man she had addressed responded worriedly, "something is wrong. The contact should have been here ages ago."
Sudden realization seemed to shoot through him, "Damn, this can only mean one thing." He turned to the others in the group, "Throw the prisoners over the cliff…Now!" he shouted. "We're leaving, and they are of no use to us."
The two other men each took hold of one of the children, who immediately began wailing harder and screaming for help.
The taller of the two, a powerfully built, light brown haired man with a tired look in his eyes spoke apologetically to the kids. "Sorry, this is nothing personal. Besides there is a river down there, You could survive." He finished in a would-be helpful tone.
This did not alleviate the children's worries.
The other man, a skinny form with long, strait white hair spoke with a reedy voice. "That is if you don't drown first."
There was sudden movement from the trees, which caught the attention of the tall man. He looked over quizzically to see Hinata rushing him, her arm outstretched.
She moved to quickly for him to dodge completely, he dropped the child in an attempt to jump out of the way. Her palm connected with his chest, sending him backward away from his captive.
Without taking her eyes off of her opponent, Hinata spoke softly to the scared girl. "Hey, are you ok?"
"Y-yes, I'm fine…but my little brother?" the girl asked worriedly."
The little boy came running, blinded by tears. "Onee-chaaaan!"
Hinata gave a small smile at the sight of the older sister comforting her tiny little brother.
"HINATA!!!"
She turned her head at the voice, "N-Naruto-kun?!"
The blond teen had the other man in a hold from behind, his arms locked into place. "Keep them safe, Hinata. I'll take care of this guy." He said confidently.
The white-haired man scoffed, "you think so, huh?"
"What?"
His opponent managed to twist his arm and take hold of Naruto's jacket. In one fluid movement Naruto was thrown from the kidnapper, only to land on his feet facing the other man.
Naruto gave a small laugh as his enemy's eye narrowed then widened. He started in confusion before pain exploded in his chest, he heard one thing before being hurled, with massive force, away from the clearing.
"RASANGAN!!!"
Naruto grinned after the man that he had just sent flying, "seeya."
OoOoO
The blond woman watched as two other konoichi rushed her, she was tired and they just kept coming. They really should have left sooner, 'damn it these two just wont quit.'
Sakura lashed out at her, and her punch was dodged. The blond woman was distracted for a moment and soon felt a kick to the back of her neck from Kurenai, and she cried out in pain as the other used this distraction to connect with a chakra enhanced fist to her jaw.
She was sent careening into the surrounding trees.
"Huh? Hotaru!?" The leader of the group, seeing this, paused in his engagement of Kiba and Shino.
The two males from Team Kurenai looked on nervously, "crap, he looks pissed." Kiba remarked.
Shino nodded his agreement, "and his Chakra just spiked heavily."
The influx of power drew Kurenai's attention, she turned in time to see the fuming man vanish from sight. The next thing that she was aware of was being thrown into a winded Sakura. She never even had the time to marvel at the man's speed.
Before anyone could blink the man stood there, with the unconscious Hotaru in his arms, he face contorted with rage. "Jun! Wake up, we're leaving cover us!"
The massive man that Hinata had subdued instantly awoke and sprang to his feet, "Right away, sir." He threw a startled Hinata a smile, "It was nice meeting you, Goodbye."
He ran through a series of hand-signs faster then anyone of them could follow, there was a powerful explosion and Hinata covered her face from the blast and gave a shout before she was cast by the shockwave, toward the cliff.
Naruto was instantly running, "HINATA-CHAN!"
It was happening in slow motion, but she could not control it or stop herself. She watched as Naruto came to the edge of the cliff, as though he teleported there, and trusts his arm out to her, "Naruto-kun!"
"Grab my hand, quick Hinata!"
She managed to latch onto his offered hand. Unfortunately Naruto, in his hurry, disappeared over the side with her, sending them both crashing into the water below, narrowly missing the jagged outcropping of rocks below.
Kiba and Sakura rushed the cliff too, stopping short of going over each calling the names of their friends.
Kurenai and Shino came up right behind them, "Can you see them?" Kurenai asked with a forced calm.
Kiba turned to his sensei, "…no."
Sakura was still looking down into the rushing water below, "we have to go down there!" she said fiercely.
Kurenai sighed, "and we will. But first we have to take these two to the nearby village, as planned," she said motioning to the two kids, the girls arms still wrapped around her little brother. "Once we are there, we can find someone who knows a safe way down and then search for Hinata and Naruto, ok?"
Sakura turned reluctantly form the cliff, "…ok," she said solemnly. 'please be safe, Naruto…Hinata.'
OoOoO
The sun was setting, it was growing colder. Hinata could see nothing but darkness, and heard her own voice calling out for Naruto.
She slowly opened her eyes, she was so sore and her head was pounding. Hinata gave a low moan and sat up looking around, barely seeing anything there. She mumbled softly, to no one in particular. "ohhh, my head…wh…what happened?"
Her eyes snapped open as a warm weight fell from her, falling into her lap leaving her exposed and chilly. She looked down and gave a start, 'Naruto-kun's jacket…wait, I remember. Naruto-kun came after me, he saved me from hitting the rocks in the water…'
She pulled the warm, orange and black jacket too her chest, and breathed in his scent. "Oooh, Naruto-kun…"
She looked around, Night had fallen and Naruto was not there…but before she could start to worry she noticed her own jacket drying but a fire, she also found she had some bandages, one of them on her left cheek.
Hinata gained a massive blush as she realized that Naruto had removed her jacket, and treated whatever wounds she had before making sure she was warm and went looking for help or food.
She contented herself with waiting for him, certain that he would come back. 'And knowing him, unhurt.'
After about an hour she heard rustling in the leaves, and 'his' voice came drifting trough the air. "(cough) Ah! Hinata-chan. Your finally awake, that's good."
Hinata, now wearing his orange jacket, turned beaming at him, "oh, um…Naruto-kun, y-yes…" When she caught sight of him, her face turned to one of horror. He was bruised, scratched and shirtless the only covering he had were his pants and the large bandage that was wrapped around his stomach. And the one around his right bicep. She gasped, "N-Naruto-kun?"
Naruto however was in good spirits, he was grinning and seemed slightly abashed, "sorry I was (cough) gone for so long. I was looking for some food. You know, berries and stuff," he laughed. "I guess I let time (cough) get away from me, hope you didn't worry."
He sat down by the fire, "And of course," he continued, setting down a large parcel. "I had to use my shirt to carry what I found, so I've been (cough) freezing my ass off."
Hinata was trembling, she was gesturing to Naruto and speaking softly. Her voice on the verge of cracking, "N-Naruto-kun. You…you're injured. You should be resting…and…and letting yourself heal…and umm…umm."
He barely heard her words, but her tone. "Hinata-chan? (cough) are you ok?"
He looked to her, to find that her eyes were screwed shut and tears poured down her face, hitting the back of her clenched hand that was driven into the ground. She sniffled, "Naruto-kun, I'm so sorry that you're hurt…because of me. I…I…I'm so sorry."
Naruto shook his head, "No (cough) Hinata-chan, it's ok…it was my choice to help you."
Her eyes snapped open as she felt his arms envelop her, "so don't worry about it." he said softly to her.
Her blush was turning her face a deep red, "Naruto-kun…thank you."
He broke the embrace, falling into a coughing fit. Hacking and wheezing, Naruto brought his hand to his mouth in an attempt to muffle himself.
She could only watch helplessly, eyes filling with more tears, growing more and more concerned as he pulled his hand from his mouth, there was blood dripping from his lips and on his palm.
"I…I'm ok now, Hinata." He said after catching his breath. He offered her a half-smile.
Hinata's mind was spinning, he had put himself through so much…ignored his own obviously serious injuries for her own minor cuts. And now he was trying to make her feel better? But then he was always like that…that's what she loved about him.
Naruto grew surprised when he felt a soft tissue and touch at the corner of his mouth, "Huh, Hinata-chan?"
She sat there before him, gazing into his eyes with a small smile and massive blush on her face. "There, all clean…"
Naruto grinned nervously, she had such a warm and caring look on her face. And that face was getting closer to his… "uh, um H-H-Hinata-chan?"
She grew closer still, a dreamy look in her eyes and murmured, "Naruto…"
Naruto gulped as he found himself leaning forward for some reason, "Hinata-chan?" he questioned. She seemed to be in a daze, and he half hoped she'd snap out of it…and half not.
"kun," she finished.
OoOoO
Rushing sounds could be heard, as the wind whipped past. The searching pair was moving at a frenzied pace, "Kiba, anything?" Sakura called out.
He answered readily, "I have a scent, they're close."
Sakura gained a large smile as she spotted something, she exclaimed excitedly, "Look! Up ahead, there's a fire. That got to be them! NARUTO!!! HINATA!!!"
She took off running, outstripping her current teammate and reached the clearing first, busted through the trees, "Naru…to? She trailed off.
They had paid her no attention, Naruto was sitting with a massive blush on his battered face. He was straight-backed and turned away from Hinata…almost embarrassed?
Hinata was on the ground, laying on her side with her arms wrapped around her knees, which were pulled up to her chest. She seemed to be shaking and rolling around, leaving Sakura hoping she was not having some sort of a fit.
"Ummm, guys? Hello?" Sakura said tentatively, "are you two alright?"
A short while later, Sakura was repacking her medic supplies and spoke to Naruto. "Ok, that does it. I've done all I can for now."
Naruto was feeling a bit better, and smiled as he pulled on his jacket.
Sakura continued, albeit stiffly, "Just take it easy until we can get you to the hospital, Naruto. I don't want you to aggravate those internal injuries."
Naruto noticed the tone, "Sakura-chan, Umm…you seem a little angry. Did I do something to make you mad at me?"
"Naruto…you…you…" Sakura began dangerously, then exploded at him. "You jumped off a cliff! You could have been killed! And I know you were just trying to save Hinata but, are you a complete moron!? That was, by far, the stupidest thing that you've ever done. You made us all worry ourselves to death wondering if you were alive or not! So yes! I am a little pissed off at you right now!"
The fact that she said this all in one breathe, and the rage she was showing had Kiba and Hinata backing off in worry. Naruto, though a bit frightened, was used to her rants and yelling and did not move. "Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time," he said timidly.
Sakura sighed, and her face took on a soft expression, "why am I even complaining? You are just being you, a complete knucklehead, just trying to help a friend."
Kiba called out to them, still keeping a safe distance, "Hey! Are you two finished? We still have to meet Kurenai at the village."
Sakura responded calmly, "Oh, sorry. We're coming."
OoOoO
"And that's everything," Kurenai was in Tsunade's office, giving the older woman the mission report. "But, I have to say, they seemed somehow familiar."
Tsunade was silent for a moment, then spoke. "So, they've decided to show themselves after all these years.
Kurenai looked at her leader curiously, "so you know who they are?"
Tsunade gave a weary nod, "from what you have told me, there's no doubt as to who they are. About thirteen years ago, four young leaf shinobi named, Jun, Rokuro, Hataru and Masaru had just completed the Chunin exams but were turned down for promotion as the attending lords felt they showed little respect for fellow shinobi."
She shook her head in disgust, "They believed that power was the true way of the shinobi, and broke away form the thirds teachings. Masaru in particular was the worst. He was an excellent ninja, but was also uncontrollable. He lusted for power and even delved into the forbidden arts in order to increase his chakra capacity. The four of them committed a serious crime in order to obtain greater chakra."
Kurenai's eyes went wide, "Wait, I remember that! Didn't they try to…" she trailed off.
Tsunade's hazel eyes narrowed, "Yes. They tried to absorb the Kyuubi's power, which would have killed Naruto had the ANBU and Sarutobi-sensei not shown up to stop them. Unfortunately, Masaru had already managed to absorb some, and Now may have developed and incredible chakra capacity, just like Naruto."